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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- City and Utah Transit Authority officials are discussing possible construction of two miles of new TRAX lines to move people around the downtown area.
One option would connect the University of Utah line to 600 West and extend TRAX from the Delta Center to 700 South. A second option would link Main Street to The Gateway with a line along 200 South. It also would add another line along 200 West to join downtown with 700 South.
The segments would not be built until after 2015 and completion of proposed TRAX lines to Draper, West Valley City, West Jordan-South Jordan and Salt Lake City International Airport.
Those four lines would be built if Salt Lake County voters approve an $895 million bond in November.
Planners also are talking about creating a downtown bus hub. The options include placing it at 200 South and State Street or at the transit hub at 600 West and 300 South.
"It would be great to have the whole transit system connected so it is understandable," said UTA consultant Alice Steiner.
Business leaders were briefed on the TRAX and bus options Wednesday morning.
Some objected to adding TRAX along 300 South, said the street already is too congested with numerous parking garages dumping cars onto the street and with the street's mid-block parking stalls.
Another problem is the city has a $1 million plan to improve the 300 South parking stalls.
Planners said consolidating bus services at 600 West transit hub might not be good because it is so far west of the downtown core. But some business leaders said the hub makes the most sense. It already will combine commuter rail, TRAX, Greyhound bus and Amtrak train service.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
